Corrective Services (No Body, No Parole) Amendment Bill 2017

Overview

This bill introduces a 'No Body, No Parole' rule in Queensland. Prisoners serving time for murder, manslaughter or related homicide offences cannot be released on parole if the victim's body or remains have not been found, unless the Parole Board is satisfied they have cooperated satisfactorily with police to help locate the victim.

Who it affects

Homicide offenders seeking parole face a new hurdle, while families of victims whose remains have never been recovered may finally get answers. The Parole Board and police must follow new assessment and reporting processes.

Key changes

• Parole Board must refuse parole for homicide offenders whose victim's body or remains are not located, unless the prisoner has cooperated satisfactorily
• Covers murder, manslaughter, accessory after the fact to murder, and conspiring to murder, including counselling or procuring these offences
• Commissioner of Police must provide a written report evaluating the prisoner's cooperation at least 28 days before the parole hearing
• Applies retrospectively to prisoners already convicted or sentenced, and to parole applications already lodged but not yet decided
• Parole Board gets up to 50 extra days to decide existing applications so the police report can be prepared